Alberta Weather

Alberta climate is continental climate which is characterized by warm summers and very cold winters. Alberta gets very cold winters which are largely influenced by the cold weather systems that blow through the province from the Arctic. Air currents blowing from the Arctic can produce very cold temperatures which range from -54 degrees Centigrade (-65 degrees Fahrenheit) in north Alberta to -46 degrees Centigrade (-51 degrees Fahrenheit) in south Alberta. In summer there are continental air masses which bring in hot currents to Alberta with temperatures ranging from 32 degrees Centigrade (90 degrees Fahrenheit) in mountainous regions to 40 degrees Centigrade (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in south Alberta. For all weather information on Alberta check here, www.albertaweather.net.

Temperatures in northern and southern Alberta vary so much. In the south average temperatures for January are -8 degrees Centigrade (18 degrees Fahrenheit) while in the north they are -24 degrees Centigrade (-11 degrees Fahrenheit). In July, average monthly temperatures are 24 degrees Centigrade (75 degrees Fahrenheit) in the south and 16 degrees Centigrade (61 degrees Fahrenheit). For latest weather updates on Alberta, visit us on Alberta Weather.Net.

Precipitation

Alberta climate is influenced by mountains which block the flow of westerly winds causing the winds to lose a lot of moisture and cast a rain shadow when they reach Alberta. Annual precipitation also varies between north and south Alberta with northern Alberta receiving an annual average of 450 mm (18 inches) while southern Alberta receives an annual average of 300 mm (12 inches). In the Rocky Mountains rainfall can exceed 600 mm (24 inches) per annum.

Summer

During summer average daytime temperatures range between 21 degrees Centigrade (70 degrees Fahrenheit) in the Rocky Mountain valleys and in the northern side to 27 degrees Centigrade (81 degrees Fahrenheit) in the dry prairie of the southeastern region. Cool summer temperatures cause the northern and western parts of Alberta to experience high rainfall and low evaporation rates. The southern and east-central regions of the province are prone to droughts which can sometimes persist for several years. However, sometimes these areas can also receive very heavy precipitation. Alberta is generally a sunny province, receiving around 1900 to 2500 hours of sunshine per year. Northern Alberta receives around 18 sunshine hours in summer.

Winter

In the southwestern region of Alberta, cold winters are interrupted by Chinook winds which regularly blow warm air masses from the mountains. These warm air masses can increase temperatures to well above freezing point in a short stint. During a Chinook recorded at Pincher Creek, temperatures rose from -18.9 degrees Centigrade (-2 degrees Fahrenheit) to 3.3 degrees Centigrade (38 degrees Fahrenheit) in a space of 1 hour. Lethbridge is the area that experiences the most Chinooks, experiencing 30 to 35 Chinook days per year. As a result of these winds Calgary only experiences a white Christmas only 59% of the time. For info on seasonal temperature changes and other climatic info on Alberta, visit www.albertaweather.net.

Adverse Weather

Central Alberta has a high risk of tornadoes and is the second region in Canada that has a high risk of tornadoes after Southern Ontario. Summer season usually feature frequent thunderstorms, especially in the central and southern parts of the province. The Calgary-Edmonton Corridor is popular for having the highest occurrence of hail in the country. Hail in this region of Canada is caused by orographic lifting from the nearby mountains which influence the updraft/downdraft cycle which triggers the formation of hail.

Touring Alberta

Touring Alberta can be a real great experience especially when you do so during winter. We at Alberta Weather.Net think that the best time to visit Alberta is in winter. Visiting Alberta during winter will allow you to enjoy the excellent amounts of snow that fall in this part of Canada. If you have never celebrated a white Christmas before then Alberta is just the place for you. White Christmas is very different from other Christmas when there is no snow. This is because the white snow makes everything look bright and beautiful almost looking perfect. That is why the color white is often associated with purity and cleanness. Snow has the same effect. It can make your Christmas look as if it were out of this world. You can also take advantage of the snowfall that is received in this part of Canada and do some winter sports such as skiing and ice skating. Alberta also has some great mountains which offer some great climbing adventures for winter expeditions.